Teens hit the small screen to nip bullying in the bud

THREE Pembroke Dock teenagers will hit the headlines tomorrow (Thursday), in a bid to beat the bullies.

Pembroke Dock Youth Forum members Taylor Macleod, Bethan Cant and Jodie Lewis will have their work on bullying highlighted on ITV Wales news at 6pm.

The youngsters have been working with Fixers – a charity that supports young people aged between 16 and 25 - to tackle bullying.

They have produced a short animated film about friendship which encourages people to question whether their behaviour is really banter or bullying.

The ITV programme will also look at the role of the Youth Forum which meets regularly at Pembroke Dock Youth Centre.

Group leader Taylor, 17, said she sometimes took things too far and did not realise she had become a bully.

“Many of us don’t realise how we act can have a big impact on other people’s lives,” said Taylor.

“I was a bit of a bully, I took things too far sometimes and I didn’t realise. I regret every moment of it.”

As a youth centre volunteer she recognises her old self in the way some young people act.

Taylor’s mum, Tracy Slaney, who was herself bullied at school, said: “I’m over the moon with Taylor, she’s making sure that she does everything in her power to stop bullying.”

Supporting the project, Joe Salerno, of Pembrokeshire Minds, said between 85 and 90 per cent of the people he works with have a history of being bullied and “certain banter can bleed into being abusive”.

Taylor, who wants the film to be shown across Wales, added: “I want people who watch my film to ask themselves ‘Am I a bully?’ and if they think they are, they need to change.”